London-dwellers will know there is no shortage of cocktail bars in the capital. For every budget, every occasion, there’s a watering hole to suit. From speakeasies, so many speakeasies, through to tequila taquerias and craft whisky pop-ups, us French 75-swigging sorts are spoiled for choice. The only chink in the armor is the lack of fabulous central spots. In a sea of All Bar Ones and high-end, high-cost haunts, it’s tricky to find somewhere fun and fabulous for a little post-shop pitstop. Well it was, until Cahoots showed up and changed the game.
Nestled away in a disused underground station beneath Kingly Court, Cahoots is the latest venture from the Inception group. Taking its cues from post-war Britain, this swinging party spot is decked out like a 1940s tube carriage with mismatched furnishings and bunting a-plenty. Bustling with swing dancers, piano sing-songs and, of course, delectable cocktails, it’s truly one of a kind.
Once you’ve found the Underground sign in Kingly Court, the Cahoots station master will issue you with a day ticket and lead you downstairs towards the carriage. The atmosphere is electric; the waitresses are dressed in authentic 1940s attire, jiving to swing music and handing out The Kingly Court Herald menus (photo op alert: it looks just like you’re sat on a train reading the paper) to thirsty punters.
The cocktails themselves are a triumph. Alongside the classics, there are some fabulous 40s inspired concoctions such as White Cloves of Dover, Give Peas a Chance and Pickledilly Circus. For the ladies there is an entire Starlets & Sirens section dedicated to Hollywood heroines, and for the discerning gents there is the luxurious Aristocrats & Fat Cats list. If you’re planning a knees-up, or simply a few drinks after work, Cahoots also offers a rather fabulous selection of sharing drinks – some in teapots (with cosies, of course), some in flasks and some in milk bottles. Word has it the Cherry Top milk bottle, a blend of vodka, Cherry Heering, Frangelico, vanilla syrup and milk is a dream.
Open til 1AM Monday - Wednesday, 2AM Thursday – Friday and 3AM on Saturday, it’s the perfect place for a night of good old fashioned fun.
Find out more on the Cahoots website.
